Reader Comments

Below is a sample of what others have offered after reading "The Year of the Rabbit - A Novel About Fate, Family and Forgiveness". 

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Download an ebook sampling from Smashwords.  While some trees were damaged in the story, none were harmed in publishing it.  

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This charming coming-of-age story traces the life of young Sera who finally meets her biological father - a priest. It has romance, intrigue, poses difficult ethical questions about the church and clergy, and explores complicated family dynamics that involve loss, sorrow, guilt and finally joy and redemption. Set against the beautiful backdrop of late 1970s Seguin Sound in Northern Ontario. Well worth reading.

Sigrid

Source: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1XXFVBET1OZX7
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This book has a lovely flow and sensitivity to the plight of the youngest characters. The images painted of Muskokan life are free of the baggage of today's playground for the rich and very grounded in small town country life - in all its dreary simplicity.

The author did a wonderful sensitive job with the illness of Sera's mother. It was very touching.

Sue
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Sometimes you find a novel (like The Year of the Rabbit by Flo Lyon which I’ve just finished reading) so satisfying and gripping it makes you laugh and cry. You want to tell the story over and over again. You adopt, lend and share the book with others.

Margaret

Read the full review at: http://cozybookbasics.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/how-a-novel-makes-you-feel-the-year-of-the-rabbit-an-adult-book-with-the-charm-of-anne-of-green-gables/
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Theresa - what a fantastic read! With the exception of the first two chapters (cause I started the book too late on on Saturday night), I read your book in one sitting - Sunday afternoon. Once I got started, I could NOT put it down - it's been a while since a book had that effect on me. It's the type of book I will want to re-read from time to time, like a few others on my shelf. It was a very emotional day getting to know the people in your book! These characters came to life and made me smile, worry, laugh, care, and quite frankly, sob at some points... You brought them all to life so vividly, and kept me turning the pages with all the twists and turns. At times, I was transported to some my own memories of growing up in a small town and all that "that" means. Thank-you so very much for introducing me to the Year of the Rabbit - I will definitely be recommending this to my friends.

Barbara
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Last August 2011, I visited the Georgian Bay, Lake Superior area. I had brought with me the novel "The Year of the Rabbit". What a wonderful treat to be reading this story while visiting the general area where the story is set in the fictitious town of Seguin Sound! Every night, I read more pages of “The Year of the Rabbit” and reflected on events that can change the course of your life in very little time: disease, abuse (physical and mental), having to leave your home or hometown or losing a dear friend. I could identify with young Sera, a precocious child, who finds her changing situation very bewildering and takes refuge in books. At the end, I was delighted that the secrets regarding Sera's life were brought forward and that she was offered a new family and a new home after losing her mother. We all need to find our place in the sun. I hope the author will offer another novel in the near future... Maybe "The Year of the Dragon"?

AVS
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Rarely do novels make me feel like crying but I came close to crying twice when reading Year of the Rabbit. I've met Sera, as we all have; there's a little bit of Sera in all of us.

BC
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I just finished reading The Year of the Rabbit. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and my interest was captivated. The characters were interesting and had realistic stories. I would not hesitate to recommend this book.

KD
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When I first started to read it, I found it a bit slow, however, soon it had my full attention, and  read in it each day, time permitting,  as well when I  took it with me when I went to The Rebab Centre at the General Hospital, twice or three times each week,  as there was always a waiting time, in which I enjoyed reading your book.

Soon I found it fascinating, as the characters became known to me, and I began to grow fond of them, and wanted to know all that had, and was still to happen to them.

The story is well written, and kept me interested all through out the book.  There was mystery, sadness, pain, joy, all the emotions we experience in our own lives, thus I could related to it all very well.

The characters were given a certain personallity, which they kept throughout the book, yet, the maturing of the younger members was fascinating to read. The great courage some showed in extremely difficult situations, the love for each other, all was so well shown in the writing, and I recommend this book to anyone, who enjoys reading about the reality of every day life, yet, as in many lifes as well, mystery, and  the resolving of problems.

I am very impressed by "The Year of The Rabbit"  and highly recommend it to everyone.

Congratulations Theresa, WELL DONE!!!!!

Yohanna
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The novel "The Year of the Rabbit" drilled into the heart of my own small town history.  The Catholic Church is an important theme in the novel as in my own personal life, so it was only natural to draw parallels.  As a result I eagerly devoured the book in two sittings because I wanted to see how the author dealt with the conundrums the Church creates for its adherents.  There are no simple solutions, then or now.

The novel reads easily, weaving a colourful mosaic from the multitude of young adolescent relationships that one might expect to flourish in a small town locked in the backwater of a major city like Toronto.  The tourists come and go but the inhabitants of the town, especially the young people left to their own devices, must become involved in extraordinary events to escape the pull of small town mentality. 

TAR
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I grew up in "Seguin Sound" aka Parry Sound, and remember the large square stones where the "murder" happened. We called it the Flinstones living room. I remember that cherry tree and the hill, not to mention the streets of the "two bit" town. I felt nostalgic like I would like to go back there again. I think it would be a good read for young teenagers, they could relate to Sera and perhaps make them more insightful young adults. Will there be a sequel?

Octavia
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Read this book (the Year of the Rabbit) a few weeks ago and enjoyed it. It paints the main characters well and in fact you wished at the end to know what happened to some of them next.

Amy
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If you've read and enjoyed "The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party" by Alexander McCall Smith, also published in 2011, you might similarly lose yourself in "The Year of The Rabbit" by Florence T. Lyon.

Both novels treat you to many plot threads and complex social issues, leaving you perched on the edge of your seat, wondering how they will be resolved ...

JR
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Still need convincing?  Read some excerpts.  Buy the book :o)